Patentable/Patents/US-8502788
US-8502788

Mobile terminal using flexible display and method of controlling the mobile terminal

PublishedAugust 6, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A mobile terminal including a body and a display module, which is flexible and is capable of receiving a touch input and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes setting the touch sensitivity of a display module to a first level; if the display module is bent or folded, setting the touch sensitivity of a bent or folded portion of the display module to a second level; and if the display module is unbent or unfolded and thus returns to its original shape, setting the touch sensitivity of the bent or folded portion of the display module back to the first level. Accordingly, it is possible to adaptively adjust the touch sensitivity of the display module according to whether and how the display module is bent or folded.

Patent Claims
14 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method of controlling a mobile terminal comprising a body and a display module that is located on the body, adapted to bend or fold, configured to receive a touch input, and comprises a top surface that displays information, the method comprising: setting a touch sensitivity of the display module to a first level when the display module is not bent or folded; and setting a touch sensitivity of a portion of the display module to a second level when the portion of the display module is bent or folded, wherein the second level corresponds to a direction and a degree of the bent or folded portion, is greater than the first level when the bent or folded portion protrudes outward towards the top surface, and is less than the first level when the bent or folded portion protrudes outward towards a rear surface.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. This adaptive adjustment improves touch input accuracy on the flexible display.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: displaying one or more operation menu areas on the display module; detecting a touch input to at least one of the displayed one or more operation menu areas; and performing an operation corresponding to the at least one of the displayed one or more operation menu areas upon which the touch input is detected.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. The device also displays interactive operation menu areas on the display. When the user touches one of these menus, the device performs the associated action.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: detecting a touch input to the bent or folded portion; and correcting a position of the detected touch input according to the direction and the degree of the bent or folded portion.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. The device also displays interactive operation menu areas on the display. When the user touches one of these menus, the device performs the associated action. If the user touches the bent or folded portion of the screen, the device corrects the detected touch position based on the bending direction and amount to account for distortion.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: displaying an operation screen on the display module, the displayed operation screen indicating information related to an operation corresponding to the at least one of the displayed one or more operation menu areas.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. The device also displays interactive operation menu areas on the display. When the user touches one of these menus, the device performs the associated action, and an operation screen appears displaying information related to the selected action.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: generating a haptic effect corresponding to the detected touch input.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. The device also displays interactive operation menu areas on the display. When the user touches one of these menus, the device generates a haptic feedback effect, such as a vibration, to confirm the touch input.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body is bar-shaped and comprises at least a cylindrical-shaped portion, a cylindroid-shaped portion, a prism-shaped portion or a freestyle portion.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. The device body has a bar shape, and can incorporate cylindrical, cylindroid, prism, or free-form sections in its design.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body is a folder-type and comprises at least a folding portion, a rolling portion or a hybrid portion that is a combination of the folding portion and the rolling portion.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device with a flexible, touch-sensitive display adjusts the display's touch sensitivity based on whether and how it is bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a portion of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that portion is adjusted. The amount of adjustment depends on the direction and degree of the bend. If the bent portion curves outward (toward the user), the sensitivity is increased. If it curves inward (away from the user), the sensitivity is decreased. The device body is folder-type, using a folding portion, a rolling portion, or a hybrid of folding and rolling mechanisms.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A mobile terminal comprising: a body; a display module that is located on the body, adapted to bend or fold, is configured to receive a touch input, and comprises a top surface that displays information; and a controller configured to: set a touch sensitivity of the display module to a first level when the display module is not bent or folded, and set a touch sensitivity of a portion of the display module to a second level when the portion of the display module is bent or folded, wherein the second level corresponds to a direction and a degree of the bent or folded portion, is greater than the first level when the bent or folded portion protrudes outward towards the top surface, and is less than the first level when the bent or folded portion protrudes outward towards a rear surface.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The mobile terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to: control the display module to display one or more operation menu areas; detect a touch input to at least one of the displayed one or more operation menu areas; and perform an operation corresponding to the at least one of the displayed one or more operation menu areas upon which the touch input is detected.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases. The device also displays operation menus. When a user touches a menu, the device executes the corresponding action.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to: detect a touch input to the bent or folded portion; and correct a position of the detected touch input according to the direction and the degree of the bent or folded portion.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases. The device also displays operation menus. When a user touches a menu, the device executes the corresponding action. Further, if the user touches the bent or folded area, the touch location is corrected based on the bending characteristics (direction and degree).

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to: control the display module to display an operation screen indicating information related to an operation corresponding to the at least one of the displayed one or more operation menu areas.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases. The device also displays operation menus. When a user touches a menu, the device executes the corresponding action, and displays an operation screen showing info related to the menu's function.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , further comprising a haptic module, wherein the controller is further configured to control the haptic module to generate a haptic effect corresponding to the detected touch input.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases. The device also displays operation menus. When a user touches a menu, the device executes the corresponding action, and generates a haptic (vibration) response to confirm the touch.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The mobile terminal of claim 8 , wherein the body is bar-shaped and comprises at least a cylindrical-shaped portion, a cylindroid-shaped portion, a prism-shaped portion or a freestyle portion.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases. The device is bar-shaped, and the body includes cylindrical, cylindroid, prism or free-form design elements.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The mobile terminal of claim 8 , wherein the body is a folder-type and comprises at least a folding portion, a rolling portion or a hybrid portion that is a combination of the folding portion and the rolling portion.

Plain English Translation

A mobile device includes a body and a flexible, touch-sensitive display. The display's touch sensitivity is adjusted dynamically based on whether and how it's bent or folded. When the display is flat, the touch sensitivity is set to a normal level. When a part of the display is bent or folded, the touch sensitivity of that specific part changes. The adjustment is tied to the direction and degree of bending. If the bent part curves outwards (towards the user), sensitivity increases. If it curves inwards (away from the user), sensitivity decreases. The device is folder-type, with folding, rolling, or a hybrid folding/rolling mechanism.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

October 26, 2009

Publication Date

August 6, 2013

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Cite as: Patentable. “Mobile terminal using flexible display and method of controlling the mobile terminal” (US-8502788). https://patentable.app/patents/US-8502788

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